Experts warned about the risk of a whale carcass explosion near a Danish island. It could simply burst
Danish authorities urge people not to approach the carcass.
Photo: Kai Moorschlatt / picture alliance via Getty Images
The carcass of Timmy the humpback whale, which washed ashore on Anholt island, continues to swell due to gases forming during decomposition.
"It's impossible to say exactly when such an animal will burst. It depends on many factors, including air temperature and the degree of decomposition. But it will burst," stated Almut Neumeister, an expert from the German Maritime Museum in Stralsund, to Bild.
According to her, in the event of an explosion, not only pieces of flesh but also bacteria pose a danger.
Danish whale researcher Peter Teglberg Madsen told Spiegel that "kilogram-heavy pieces of meat that could kill" might be involved.
In addition, infections, including influenza, rubella, toxoplasmosis, and brucellosis, can be contracted near the carcass. People who approach the whale without protection are especially at risk.
Specialists must first release the gases from the carcass. Madsen compared this to defusing a bomb. A special whaling knife is used for the procedure: only experts know where to pierce the thick layer of blubber for the gases to be released in a controlled manner.
Danish authorities urge people not to approach the carcass.
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